Best used small cars 2023

Written by Richard Kilpatrick Published: 13 November 2023 Updated: 14 November 2023

Small cars are great. They’re easy to park, quick to clean and cheaper to insure, particularly for newly qualified drivers. Small used cars are generally cheaper to buy and insure than trendier compact SUVs without losing much interior space, and they’re usually less expensive to maintain as well.

As the world moves towards decarbonisation small cars, whether city cars or superminis, provide the template for the ideal transport in built up areas. They’re lighter, take up less space, and are easier to park. The days of slow, noisy and flimsy budget models are long gone, though, and the ones we’ve selected are quite capable of safe and refined long distance drives.

If you are a driver that pootles around your local area, as opposed to taking long motorway journeys, a used small electric car could be just the ticket, especially in Ultra-Low Emission Zones (ULEZ).

Here’s the Parkers pick of the best used small cars you’ll find for sale in the UK. This list includes a mix of superminis and city cars, and a couple of electric models worth seeking out as well.

Editors choice: Ford Fiesta Mk8 (2017-2023)

Sensible, yet fun, the Fiesta is simply one of the best small cars you can buy

10

Pros:
✅ Consistent quality throughout
✅ Fun, safe and easy to drive

Cons:
❌ Recent models still expensive used
❌ You’ll want the higher spec if you compare with Trend

The Ford Fiesta is a long-standing bestseller in the UK. The used small car market has broad choice for this popular small car for those in the market. The Fiesta is at the more competitive end for in-cabin tech, driving performance and fuel economy. What’s more, servicing and insuring the Fiesta is equally wallet-friendly.

While sales of the Vauxhall Corsa might be outpacing it, the Ford Fiesta remains a brilliant purchase for those after punchy response, sharp steering and excellent feedback. The Ford Fiesta sports Ford’s SYNC infotainment system, now into its third iteration. Drivers can connect with Apple Carplay or Android Auto, meaning favourite audio and navigation apps accessed in a safer, handsfree way.

While the final generation of Fiesta is our choice overall, it has held its value well and many buyers will be looking at finance to buy one. The previous generation Fiesta is the Parkers Used Car of the Year for 2024, because it’s built on the same foundations, has aged remarkably well, and can be bought outright for less than the deposit on most new car finance deals.

Find a used Ford Fiesta for sale here

Skoda Fabia (2015-2021)

Quality and practicality means the simply-clever Skoda is no longer bargain-basement

10

Pros:
✅ Well-made and practical
✅ Options and trim can make it feel special

Cons:
❌ Expensive compared with rivals
❌ Not the most refined ride in this class

Though the Skoda Fabia is not the cheapest supermini, it offers some of the most competitive value-for-money driving. Based largely on the last generation of VW Polo, Skoda has long-since shaken off its ‘shonky’ reputation and replaced it with reliable quality, underpinned by German engineering.

As the latest generation Fabia is now selling well, the used small car market has a strong supply of the 2015-2021 Fabia; it’s an ideal time to shop for one. The Fabia drives really well, with the turbocharged TSI variant packing a 110 hp punch — provided you can drive a manual car. The sporty feel of the drive and interior, coupled with decent storage and child-friendly kit, makes the Fabia a great solution for Golf or Audi A3 owners looking to downsize.

Find a used Skoda Fabia for sale here

BMW i3 (2013-2022)

Genuinely clever approach to making an electric car for the city

10

Pros:
✅ Cutting-edge technology for a light, efficient EV
✅ Range extender option alleviates charging anxiety

Cons:
❌ Used prices still high while other EVs drop
❌ Expensive accident repair affects insurance

BMW has not pursued the small ‘budget’ car end of the market, though that’s in part because it owns MINI. However, a high-end small car because it’s the right tool for the job? That’s a different matter. The BMW i3 is a four-seater EV designed to be the perfect electric city car from the start, and it owes nothing to BMW’s existing models. Based around a carbon-fibre body to save weight, the small battery is less of a drawback than in adapted petrol models thanks to the light weight of this supermini.

A range extender model exists, but it really is a compromise to get you to the next charging point. Later i3s have bigger batteries, more power and sporty handling but for urban driving – if you have access to a charger – they are all very fit for purpose. There is nothing else like the i3, and for the technology involved it’s a steal. But it’s only worth snapping up because it’s so effective.

Find a used BMW i3 for sale here

Volkswagen Up and e-Up

The ideal balance of comfort, practicality and fun – with an electric option as well

10

Pros:
✅ Light, small car with minimalist trim
✅ Great fun and cheap to run

Cons:
❌ Light, small car has minimalist trim
❌ Can feel like a supermini from a different era

The Volkswagen Up finds that much sought-after sweet spot between enjoyment, practicality and comfort. Taking on corners like it’s ready to take on the world, the Up is a genuinely fun car to drive, has a neat turning circle and accommodating suspension.

When it comes to small cars, it doesn’t really get smaller than the Volkswagen Up, so VW has done away with a middle rear seat. Four adults fit comfortably, with plenty of legroom and headspace. The interface with VW’s connected infotainment system is fairly intuitive, with a mobile cradle for navigation. The build quality of the Up is superb, and for those seeking electric options, these great features carry into the Volkswagen e-Up too.

Find a used VW Up for sale here

Peugeot 208 (2012-2019)

French hot-hatch soul meets a new era of quality from Peugeot

10

Pros:
✅ Genuinely fun handling
✅ Much improved build quality

Cons:
❌ Older engines not that reliable
❌ Hard to find older petrol models

Peugeot’s small cars have always – well, nearly always – been stylish and fun. With a pedigree going back as far as the 1980s, there’s a street appeal to the 2012-2019 Peugeot 208 hatchback that many other small cars will simply never have. Radical styling, a smooth automatic gearbox and a wide choice of powertrains means the 208 gives rivals Ford Fiesta, Renault Clio and VW Polo a run for their money.

The Peugeot 208 feels upmarket and comfortable inside too. Though entry-level models come suitably specced out with alloys, aircon and cruise control, Allure Premium and GT Line trims will get you a reversing camera and blind spot monitoring, which we’d consider essentials for maintaining residual values. 

Find a used Peugeot 208 for sale here

Skoda Citigo 

Does what you need it to, and does it cheaply

10

Pros:
✅ Basic transport with personality
✅ Great fun, good visibility

Cons:
❌ Expensive for what you get
❌ Hard to find low mileage, recent models

Skoda’s Citigo is the third model to share the same body as the VW Up and Seat Mii. Inexpensive to buy and maintain new, there are loads of them on the used market and they’re generally better value than the VW, but UK sales ended before the VW so you won’t get a nearly-new one.

The three-cylinder engine is not going to take on any Porsches, but it’s pepped enough to feel light and nippy and not at all sluggish. The Citigo also offers excellent fuel economy, often qualifying for low or no road tax.

The interior of the Skoda Citigo is deceptively spacious; roomy enough for four, tall adults — though entry to the three-door version may prove a bit more awkward. It also boasts one of the biggest boots in its class. It’s comfortable and the built-in smartphone mount negates the need to maintain outdated in-cabin tech. 

Find a used Skoda Citigo for sale here

Renault Zoe 

A pure electric choice for unrestricted city driving

Pros:
✅ Roomy, efficient city supermini
✅ Easy to drive and live with

Cons:
❌ Confusing array of battery and charging options
❌ Range suffers badly on motorways

The friendliest older car for ULEZ in this list, the Renault Zoe was one of the first modern electric cars to market. A wonderfully cheap, quiet small car, this former Parker’s award winner now boasts a more realistic driving range of 200+ miles, meaning you’re not stuck to staying in the city.

Over time, the styling of the Zoe has been refined to make it truly modern and sporty. The immediate acceleration helps foster this sportiness further, though the suspension is a bit firm. With cruise control and aircon as standard, and in-cabin tech integrating Apple Carplay and Android Auto, the Renault Zoe has much to offer drivers dedicated to make the jump to pure electric.

Find a used Renault Zoe for sale here

Audi A1 Sportback 

A slice of premium for a modest price

10

Pros:
✅ Stylish interior, clever tech
✅ Sporty small car attitude

Cons:
❌ Expensive for Polo-based engineering
❌ Modified and neglected examples common

The Audi A1 is a smart way to realise modest motoring dreams. A second hand A1 in particular offers cracking value-for-money, with a range of engines that give great fuel economy for the performance. Audi’s focus on reducing CO2 ratings means many A1 models offer low VED (road tax) and qualify for clear air zones or ULEZ, though you should always use the TfL website (or CAZ equivalent) to check the specific car you want to buy, if it’s a diesel registered before 2016.

The spacious and comfortable A1 is well suited to longer journeys. Though main dealers can be a little pricey for servicing, the technology shared with Skoda, SEAT and Volkswagen means the Audi A1 is an affordable premium car to run with plenty of options of servicing outside of the dealer network. Since the A1 pips the Mini Clubman to the post in terms of boot space, the five-door version is also a great choice for families.

Find a used Audi A1 Sportback for sale

Kia Picanto (2017-on)

Easy – on ownership, your wallet and to drive

Pros:
✅ Strong warranty means cared-for cars
✅ Inexpensive to run

Cons:
❌ Feels small, engine works hard
❌ Not as luxurious inside as European rivals

Renowned for its generous warranty and good quality car builds, Kia has done much to plant previous derision of the brand firmly in the past. The third generation Kia Picanto has stylish looks, a comfortable interior and low running costs. The higher-end trims include a 7.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility. If your budget allows, you can level up to heated seats, keyless entry and a reversing camera.

Drive-wise, there’s a wide choice of engines, with the 1.25-litre four-cylinder spec offering sufficient power and refinement for extended motorway jaunts. Sure, the turbocharged 1.0-litre model won’t offer the same level of fuel economy, there’s a lot of fun to be had in a Picanto.

Find a used Kia Picanto for sale here